General
Prem Tinsulanonda was born in Songkla Province, on August 26,
1920, son of Luang Winithantakarma and Mrs. Ord Tinsulanonda.

He
received his formal education first at Wat Bo Yang School and
Vajiravuth School, both in Songkla Province. Then, he continued
his study at Suan Kularb Wittayalai School, Army Technic School,
Cavalry School, Armor School Fort Knox, United States of America,
Army College and National Defense College (Class IX), respectively.

Once
graduated, he served the Armor Department, as Platoon Leader.
He had been gradually promoted ever since, and, attained the rank
of Colonel, Commander of Armor School, in 1959. Later, he was
promoted to Commander of the Cavalry Infantry, in 1963. He was
ranked Major General, Commander-in-chief of the Cavalry Infantry
and Commander of Region II, in 1963, and was promoted to Commander-in-Chief
of Region II, in 1964. He was finally invested General, Commander
of the Royal Thai Army, in 1967, and was appointed Commander-in-Chief
of the Royal Thai Army, in 1968.

He
started his political career as Member of Constitution Drafting
Council, in 1959, Senator, in 1968 and Member of the Legislation
Council, in 1973. He was appointed Deputy Minister of Interior
and Member of Development Council, during the term of General
Kriangsak Jamanandana, in 1977, and Deputy Minister of Defense
in 1979.

He
was appointed as Prime Minister, on March 3, 1980, following the
resignation of General Kriangsak Jamanandana. He had always been
keen in national development as a whole, e.g., improved the Codes
of State Revenue Taxation and Department Store Laws, as to establish
social justice, created new jobs in the provinces, found the state-subsidized
public projects, as to improve trade and investment in the private
sectors. He was also determined to wipe the Communist Terrorists
Regime out of the kingdom, following "Pro-Politics Military"
scheme, as of Policy 66 of 1980.

He
dissolved the Parliament, due to political unrest, and resigned
from the position on April 28, 1988. He quitted from the politics
and took up office as the Privy Councillor, on August 23, 1988.
Moreover, he was regarded as one of Thailand's Statesmen. On September
4, 1998, he was appointed President of the Privy Council, substituting
the former Mr. Sanya Dharmasakti.